chiefly between London and Sheffield. 459 



is planted with Cedrus Deodara and C. Libani, and at the other we find 

 grouped Taxiiceae and Cupressinse, a list of which is given in our Arboretum. 

 The trees are all planted on little hillocks of from 6 ft. to 10 ft. in diameter, 

 and at the centre of each hillock, from 1 ft. to 2 ft. above the level of the 

 adjoining surface. They are planted in rows, and are growing with extraor- 

 dinary vigour ; ample space being allowed for each plant to attain its normal 

 dimensions. In aproaching the castle, after passing through the second gate, 

 the first group of plants passed through is of the coniferous tribe ; then a 

 collection of hollies, including all the hardy species and varieties grown in 

 this country* many of which are great rarities, A part of the approach 

 road, after the first avenue terminates, is in a winding direction, bordered 

 by evergreens, exhibiting masses, each consisting of trees of one species 

 of Jbietinae, 6'upressinae, or Zaxaceae, or of box trees. The number of thujas, 

 red cedars, white cedars, Irish yews, hemlock spruces, common yews, variegated 

 common yews, and upright common yews, is quite astonishing. To produce 

 immediate effect, and to serve as background to these comparatively young 

 plants, large spruce firs have been transplanted (many of them of upwards of50 ft. 

 in height) ; and these trees being held fast in their situations by guy ropes, 

 like the mast of a ship, scarcely one of them has failed. One cause of this is, 

 that the trees were all taken up with balls, and not moved to any great dis- 

 tance ; and another is, that the soil is everywhere loamy and moist at bottom. 

 In approaching the castle, we pass what appears to be an immense forest of 

 yews; but this forest, when examined in detail, is found to consist of a series 

 of ancient flower-gardens, surrounded by and intermixed with yew hedges, and 

 containing yew trees of large size, brought from all parts of the country, many 

 of which have been clipped into curious shapes. Among these, in different 

 positions, are placed numerous plants of Araucaria imbricata, variegated yews, 

 and many of the rarest Coniferse. There are three extensive gardens of" this 

 sort, each occupying several acres. One, though recently planted, has quite 

 an ancient character, with covered walks of arbor vitse, and flower-beds, &c. 

 This garden is surrounded by a terrace of yew trees, the inward line forming 

 arches, and paneled with Cydonia japonica, and with araucarias in the open 

 spaces. Another is an Italian garden, richly furnished with vases, statues 

 (many of which are of grotesque forms), richly gilt, basins, fountains and other 

 works of art. A third consists of open lawns, bounded by yews, and by trees 

 of the pine and fir tribe. There is a fourth flower-garden just commenced, 

 with the flower beds arranged in architectural forms, bounded by masonry. In 

 this garden, which, like all the others, is characterised by evergreens, there are 

 hedges of the evergreen mahonias, and beds of all the rare evergreen plants 

 that are to be procured in British nurseries. Three of these gardens with 

 ornamental plantations are on the entrance front of the castle, and it is quite 

 impossible for any one who has merely passed rapidly through them, as we did, 

 to do them anything like justice without the aid of plans and views. Among 

 the numerous things which struck us as new and extraordinary, were plinths 

 of soil forming pedestals to large yew trees, which were procured when full 

 grown from different parts of the country, wherever they could be found large, 

 or cut into curious shapes ; while smaller yew trees were planted at the base 

 of the plinths, and trained over them. The solemn gloom cast over part of 

 the grounds by these yew trees produces an effect never to be forgotten, 

 which harmonises with the fine old ivy-covered church adjoining the castle, 

 which towers proudly above them, and is also in part clothed with ivy. 

 Another front of the house looks down the immense avenue already men- 

 tioned, which is upwards of a mile and a half in length ; and the third front 

 looks on a modern lawn, with flower beds, bounded by an extensive artificial 

 lake, beyond which, and extending all along the north side, is a plantation just 

 formed of Cedrus Deodara : all the ground behind these cedars (forming the 

 three front lines) is partly, and will shortly, be entirely planted with the finest 

 of the pine and fir tribe; as Picea grandis, nobilis, amabilis, and Webbmna; 

 Pinus Sabinidna, Coulten", insfgnis, ponderosa, Lambertidna, monticola, and 



